Wests Tigers Coach Tim Sheens will work hard over the off-season in fixing “the rocks and diamonds” of the team’s attacking flair.

Speaking at the post match press conference, Sheens admitted it was disappointing the team had finished in ninth position but focused his attention on the months ahead.

“The win was a good way to finish but at the end of the day, we didn’t get there. There is disappointment but at the same token, there is something to build on,’’ Sheens said.

“Our U20s side made the top four and Balmain and Western Suburbs are in the State Cup finals, so there is a bit building for the club there.”

When asked about Benji Marshall’s man-of-the-match performance, Sheens shifted the focus on the team.

“The flick pass, when all he had to do was pass and we score, and he flicks it over the sideline. There the things, the rocks and the diamonds that come with our team at times, and we have got to get through that,’’ Sheens said.

“We just can’t keep doing that. It is alright for everyone in the crowd to scream but I am screaming in the box every time something like that happens. They are the little things that sometimes makes the difference to us.

“I know it is a balance and we want to play some football, that’s our style. Certainly the kids coming through from the 20s, young Robert Lui and them, are exactly the same style of player, so maybe I have to give myself an uppercut for recruitment.

“But at the end of the day, we do play some footy and I think the boys enjoy the football we play. But at the same token, we just have got to have that little bit of a hard edge on us that says when to do it and when not to do it.”

Sheens praised the courage and toughness of his men with seven players taking the field with injections.

“It was the most the doctor had ever had to do, so we did have some issues,’’ Sheens said.

“And that was our problem. At the back end of the season, I’ve lost a starting full-back, both starting wingers, probably the replacement winger in big Peni Tagive early in the season, Bryce Gibbs and so it went.

“If we had made it, we would have probably limped in anyway. We just got banged up at the wrong end of the season.

“Three weeks ago, we were looking pretty strong, we were going well. I had to move the half-back back to full-back. They are not excuses, just reasons, and we know that. It just threw us off track a little.

“Probably in the middle of the season, we had four games we lost by two points. Every club’s got that but we had a group of them. We are a better side, and we are more optimistic, because we have played better overall all season.

“We haven’t had that up and down win by 40, get belted by 40. There has been a lot more consistency in our efforts, even given that period when we had a lot of injury to key players or Robbie and Benji were out playing rep footy. We had that illness thing go through the club as well. There are a whole heap of things but we have come through it and played some good footy at the back end of the season. It is something to build on.

“I’m proud of the effort. It is always just the execution here and there that has let us all down.

“Coaching staff and players have got to be better next season, simple as that. The review will start, as they always do, whether you finish ninth or second, you are still going to review yourself and start thinking about next season.

“There is only one successful team this year and that is whoever wins it.’’

willow wrote:
“I know it is a balance and we want to play some football, that’s our style. Certainly the kids coming through from the 20s, young Robert Lui and them, are exactly the same style of player, so maybe I have to give myself an uppercut for recruitment.

There, he has admitted it now. Hope that makes everyone happy, let the free for all begin!

willow wrote:
“The flick pass, when all he had to do was pass and we score, and he flicks it over the sideline. There the things, the rocks and the diamonds that come with our team at times, and we have got to get through that,’’ Sheens said.

“We just can’t keep doing that. It is alright for everyone in the crowd to scream but I am screaming in the box every time something like that happens. They are the little things that sometimes makes the difference to us.

“I know it is a balance and we want to play some football, that’s our style. Certainly the kids coming through from the 20s, young Robert Lui and them, are exactly the same style of player, so maybe I have to give myself an uppercut for recruitment.

“Three weeks ago, we were looking pretty strong, we were going well. I had to move the half-back back to full-back. They are not excuses, just reasons, and we know that. It just threw us off track a little.

“Coaching staff and players have got to be better next season, simple as that. The review will start, as they always do, whether you finish ninth or second, you are still going to review yourself and start thinking about next season.

“There is only one successful team this year and that is whoever wins it.’’

This is not Tim Sheens. Hes saying everything we have been talking about!

“Coaching staff and players have got to be better next season, simple as that. The review will start, as they always do, whether you finish ninth or second, you are still going to review yourself and start thinking about next season.

“There is only one successful team this year and that is whoever wins it.’’[/quote]
.
now season is over, work together well and ensure when close games are on, do not lose.
.
also have two or three players do alot of goal kicking practice in off season, mentored by either Darrell Halligan or Hasam El magic.
.

westTAHger wrote:“Coaching staff and players have got to be better next season, simple as that. The review will start, as they always do, whether you finish ninth or second, you are still going to review yourself and start thinking about next season.

“There is only one successful team this year and that is whoever wins it.’’

Maybe this Lazarus dude will fit the bill (as fullback and goal kicker). Benji is so erratic with his kicking I can't see Halligan or El Masri helping. Andrew Johns couldn't turn him into a half back!

Generic end of year statements to keep fans like us settled for the 6month off season.

He said it all last year and only delivered on half his promises.

1. Give younger guys a go
This year Ayshford, Mataka, Schirnack, Dwyer, Lui, Gower and nearly Rhys Pritchard debuted. 6 debutants that everyone on here was calling for is pretty decent IMO and each guy will benefit from it for next year. Its a pity though that Gower and Pritchard were only considered once the season was gone ... promise met

2. Get rid of the deadwood
Starting from end of last year, Flanagan, Harrison, McDonnell, Morris, Collis, Halatau, Tagive ... promise met

3. Drop out of form players
When Sheens uses the word 'drop' he doesn't mean back to State Cup, he means to the bench ... so frustrating seeing some of the guys running round considering their weekly form

4. Buy one rep standard player a season
Daniella, Brown, Taumata, Tupou ... what rep team do they play for?

Just sick of the club always buying sub-standard players. Ellis has been the only real decent signing since Prince. Other than that, Galea goes alright but isnt exactly gonna challenge Watmough for a NSW jersey.

Just sick of the club always buying sub-standard players. Ellis has been the only real decent signing since Prince. Other than that, Galea goes alright but isnt exactly gonna challenge Watmough for a NSW jersey.

Just sick of the club always buying sub-standard players. Ellis has been the only real decent signing since Prince. Other than that, Galea goes alright but isnt exactly gonna challenge Watmough for a NSW jersey.

Well what do you want them to do? The club has not got the money that some of you think they do. You say Ellis has been the real decent signing when he is the one draining all the funds to buy further acquisitions. IMO it's a waste. He is being used as a tackling machine when he won't be the one to win you a premiership. I would rather have a supply of 3 or 4 half decent backrowers on the same coin who can tackle than 1 big name backrower who offers barely anything in attack because he is not being utilised properly. And even then, the club would have spare change.

QUOTE WestsTigers:"Fitzhenry is a very experienced player and will assist in providing leadership to the younger players in the Wests Tigers squad"

QUOTE Tim Sheens:"We owe our fans an apology for that today"

QUOTE Stephen Humphreys:"it was important to secure Fifita for a longer period"

Well what do you want them to do? The club has not got the money that some of you think they do. You say Ellis has been the real decent signing when he is the one draining all the funds to buy further acquisitions. IMO it's a waste. He is being used as a tackling machine when he won't be the one to win you a premiership. I would rather have a supply of 3 or 4 half decent backrowers on the same coin who can tackle than 1 big name backrower who offers barely anything in attack because he is not being utilised properly. And even then, the club would have spare change.

Theyve started to get rid of the deadwood to free up some coin, but the problem is we're not replacing them with anyone more effective. There's no point releasing one mob of deadwood and replacing them with 4 reserve graders, two of them who havent played much football in the last 12-18months. With the 6 or so guys we've gotten rid of in the past year we couldve bought Ellis on decent coin, who yes is worth every dollar, bought another decent forward which we lack, not backs, and then promoted from within on minimal contracts.

2007 and 2008 we suffered from a back log of 2005 juniors who didnt reach their potential, this year we've gotten rid of them but it's time to replace them with players that will get us to being finals contenders year in year out.